Season Summary
Exeter City's Struggle
A poor season at St Jame's Park: Many dissappointments.
The month of May brings to a close one of the poorest football seasons from a playing point of view that Exeter City F.C. has ever experienced.
With a larger number of players to call upon than in any other year it was confidently anticipated that the 1920-21 season would be attended by great success, and these anticipations appeared so well founded in the opening matches that many people had visions of Exeter City playing in the 2nd Division next season.
The early successes, however, proved only a case of flattering to deceive, for after obtaining the leadership of the Third Division League Table, the club fell from grace, and the have only escaped the last two positions by the skin of their teeth.
Removal of all Debts.
The season therefore has been remarkable for continued failure, and to the general public has been a disappointing one.
Of that there can be no doubt. But in one respect there is much the management has to rejoice about. One of the principal accomplishments of the season has been securing of the ground as the football clubs own property.
In devoting the money paid for the transfers of Mitton to Sunderland, £2000, and Wright to Huddersfield, £2600, for the removal of all debts upon the ground, the directors took a certain risk, and had the club failed to have avoided the danger zone, the possibility is that the ground would have been dearly bought.
As matters have turned out, this move on the part of the management is about the only bright spot.
(N.B. The monies from transfers by 2019 standards, given inflation would have been in the order of £1 million each, and it is important to note that property has increased in value significantly more than average inflation)
Consistent Failure.
As regards the team there is not much that can be said of a congratulatory nature character. The season, indeed, has been remarkable for the consistent failure of the eleven to settle down and become a reasonably cohesive combination. Dick Pym, Feebery and Dockray have proved themselves three stalwarts throughout the season, and the club must feel thankful that they have maintained their form right through. Some of the other players have at times shown up prominently, but as a rule they have only been moderate.
The big cause of Exeter City's failure has been the lacking if efficient half-backs. Those who have played have been workers and willing, but by no means good footballers, and as a half-back line is generally considered to make or mar a team, it is easy to see why Exeter have fared so badly.
Club's Heaviest Defeat.
The heaviest defeat in the history of the club was sustained at Merthyr on January 29th, when 7 goals were registered. The only consolation was that the score might have been less had Pym been in goal.
Two victories of four clear goals were obtained both at home. The first against Millwall on September 11, and the other against Northampton on December 4.
in the English Cup Competetion the club was ousted at the first time of asking. Watford defeating Exeter by 3-nil.
Of the 21 away matches only one was won.
Local Football Encouraged.
One of the most pleasing features has been the efforts of Exeter City to encourage football in the surrounding district. Visits have been paid, among other places, to Taunton, Newton Abbot, Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, Seaton and Axminster, considerable interest being aroused. In addition a gold medals competetion was initiated for leading clubs in Exeter, with matches being played free of charge at St James's Park, and as result of which junior football will receive substantial financial benefit.
The fostering of junior football is bound to reap its reward in later years.
The management decided, with a view to encouraging a better type of football, to compete in the Western League, and the games have certainly produced some rousing play. As regards the financial side of the question, however it is doubtful whether receipts from matches have justified the change.
The success obtained from a playing point of view was not so great as to attract large numbers to the ground. The experiment, however, is worth persevering with.
Goal Scorers.
Third Division: Vowles 9, Wright 9, Makin 6, Shields 4, Carrick 3, Appleton 2, Dockray 2, Feebery 2, Hetherington 1, Hinton 1.
Western League: Hesmondhalgh 17, Brayshaw 7, Hetherington 4, McIntyre 4, Taylor 4, Vowles 4, Wright 3, Harding 1, Please 1, Shields 1, Parr (OG), Other 1.
Pym Going North.
Bolton Wanderers Seek City Captain's Transfer
Has Pym played his last match for Exeter City? Representatives of three first-class professional clubs were present at St James's Park on the last day of the season watching the City and Bristol Rovers match. At the close officials of the Bolton Wanderers Club approached the Exeter City directors and sought Pym's transfer.
Pym turns down Exeter Contract renewal.
The City captain had been offered terms for next season by his club week earlier and refused them.
A Big Bid, but Pym signs for Exeter.
On Saturday the Wanderers's representatives made a big bid for Pym's services. The terms proposed were not acceptable to Exeter, and eventually, the Bolton deputation, having ascertained Exeter's condition's, left to place the matter before a meeting of their directors. Pym subsequently signed forms for Exeter City for next season.
Mr M.J McGahey, (pictured) Chairman of the Exeter City club, has confirmed that they will not part with Pym unless he definitely wishes to go.
Pym's Own Views.
It is known that whilst Pym is filled with regret at the thought of leaving Exeter and Devonshire, which is his home, and where he has made a multitude of friends and admirers, he feels it his duty to look at the matter from the business standpoint.
His share in a transfer fee would probably be very much larger than any amount he could expect to receive by way of benefit, and in view that a footballer's career is uncertain, he wishes to make good financially now, whilst in his prime.
Other Players on the Transfer List
Charlie Vowles and Bob Pollard have signed for next season, and Carrick has been offered terms and put on the retained list.
The following have been put on the transfer list:-
Appleton, Coleburne, Feebery, Green, Lakin, McIntyre, Makin and Shields.
The remainder of the players are free to transfer to other clubs as opportunity offers.
Green has an engagement as a Cricket Coach at Exeter School this Summer.
A poor season at St Jame's Park: Many dissappointments.
The month of May brings to a close one of the poorest football seasons from a playing point of view that Exeter City F.C. has ever experienced.
With a larger number of players to call upon than in any other year it was confidently anticipated that the 1920-21 season would be attended by great success, and these anticipations appeared so well founded in the opening matches that many people had visions of Exeter City playing in the 2nd Division next season.
The early successes, however, proved only a case of flattering to deceive, for after obtaining the leadership of the Third Division League Table, the club fell from grace, and the have only escaped the last two positions by the skin of their teeth.
Removal of all Debts.
The season therefore has been remarkable for continued failure, and to the general public has been a disappointing one.
Of that there can be no doubt. But in one respect there is much the management has to rejoice about. One of the principal accomplishments of the season has been securing of the ground as the football clubs own property.
In devoting the money paid for the transfers of Mitton to Sunderland, £2000, and Wright to Huddersfield, £2600, for the removal of all debts upon the ground, the directors took a certain risk, and had the club failed to have avoided the danger zone, the possibility is that the ground would have been dearly bought.
As matters have turned out, this move on the part of the management is about the only bright spot.
(N.B. The monies from transfers by 2019 standards, given inflation would have been in the order of £1 million each, and it is important to note that property has increased in value significantly more than average inflation)
Consistent Failure.
As regards the team there is not much that can be said of a congratulatory nature character. The season, indeed, has been remarkable for the consistent failure of the eleven to settle down and become a reasonably cohesive combination. Dick Pym, Feebery and Dockray have proved themselves three stalwarts throughout the season, and the club must feel thankful that they have maintained their form right through. Some of the other players have at times shown up prominently, but as a rule they have only been moderate.
The big cause of Exeter City's failure has been the lacking if efficient half-backs. Those who have played have been workers and willing, but by no means good footballers, and as a half-back line is generally considered to make or mar a team, it is easy to see why Exeter have fared so badly.
Club's Heaviest Defeat.
The heaviest defeat in the history of the club was sustained at Merthyr on January 29th, when 7 goals were registered. The only consolation was that the score might have been less had Pym been in goal.
Two victories of four clear goals were obtained both at home. The first against Millwall on September 11, and the other against Northampton on December 4.
in the English Cup Competetion the club was ousted at the first time of asking. Watford defeating Exeter by 3-nil.
Of the 21 away matches only one was won.
Local Football Encouraged.
One of the most pleasing features has been the efforts of Exeter City to encourage football in the surrounding district. Visits have been paid, among other places, to Taunton, Newton Abbot, Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, Seaton and Axminster, considerable interest being aroused. In addition a gold medals competetion was initiated for leading clubs in Exeter, with matches being played free of charge at St James's Park, and as result of which junior football will receive substantial financial benefit.
The fostering of junior football is bound to reap its reward in later years.
The management decided, with a view to encouraging a better type of football, to compete in the Western League, and the games have certainly produced some rousing play. As regards the financial side of the question, however it is doubtful whether receipts from matches have justified the change.
The success obtained from a playing point of view was not so great as to attract large numbers to the ground. The experiment, however, is worth persevering with.
Goal Scorers.
Third Division: Vowles 9, Wright 9, Makin 6, Shields 4, Carrick 3, Appleton 2, Dockray 2, Feebery 2, Hetherington 1, Hinton 1.
Western League: Hesmondhalgh 17, Brayshaw 7, Hetherington 4, McIntyre 4, Taylor 4, Vowles 4, Wright 3, Harding 1, Please 1, Shields 1, Parr (OG), Other 1.
Pym Going North.
Bolton Wanderers Seek City Captain's Transfer
Has Pym played his last match for Exeter City? Representatives of three first-class professional clubs were present at St James's Park on the last day of the season watching the City and Bristol Rovers match. At the close officials of the Bolton Wanderers Club approached the Exeter City directors and sought Pym's transfer.
Pym turns down Exeter Contract renewal.
The City captain had been offered terms for next season by his club week earlier and refused them.
A Big Bid, but Pym signs for Exeter.
On Saturday the Wanderers's representatives made a big bid for Pym's services. The terms proposed were not acceptable to Exeter, and eventually, the Bolton deputation, having ascertained Exeter's condition's, left to place the matter before a meeting of their directors. Pym subsequently signed forms for Exeter City for next season.
Mr M.J McGahey, (pictured) Chairman of the Exeter City club, has confirmed that they will not part with Pym unless he definitely wishes to go.
Pym's Own Views.
It is known that whilst Pym is filled with regret at the thought of leaving Exeter and Devonshire, which is his home, and where he has made a multitude of friends and admirers, he feels it his duty to look at the matter from the business standpoint.
His share in a transfer fee would probably be very much larger than any amount he could expect to receive by way of benefit, and in view that a footballer's career is uncertain, he wishes to make good financially now, whilst in his prime.
Other Players on the Transfer List
Charlie Vowles and Bob Pollard have signed for next season, and Carrick has been offered terms and put on the retained list.
The following have been put on the transfer list:-
Appleton, Coleburne, Feebery, Green, Lakin, McIntyre, Makin and Shields.
The remainder of the players are free to transfer to other clubs as opportunity offers.
Green has an engagement as a Cricket Coach at Exeter School this Summer.
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